Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

Rules and Regulations

^[177] Adopted In Secret Council held in in the East In the year of Our Lord 1906.

Rules are ABSOLUTELY binding on all Lodges and its members under the Supreme Grand Lodge jurisdiction.

^[179] 1. The whole world is but one Republic, of which each Nation is a family, and every individual a child. Masonry, and especially Mystic Masonry, not in anywise derogating from the differing duties which the diversity of States requires, tends to create a new people, a new association, a Universal Brotherhood, which, composed of men of many nations and tongues, shall all be bound together by the bonds of Science, Morality, Virtue and Brotherly Love.

2.The real object of Mystic Masonry can be summed up in these words: To efface from among men the prejudice of caste, the conventional distinctions of color, origin, opinion, nationality; to annihilate fanaticism and superstition, extirpate national discord and with it extinguish the firebrand of war; in a word — to arrive, by free and pacific progress, at one formula or model of eternal and universal right, according to which each individual human being shall be ^[180] free to develop every faculty with which he may be endowed, and to concur heartily and with all the fullness of his strength, in the bestowment of happiness upon all, and thus to make of the whole human race one family of brothers, united by affection, wisdom and labor and to bind them together in such a way that it shall be impossible for one brother to hurt another in any possible way.

3.Masonic Charity and devotion being the duty of brothers, whosoever shall be convicted of having had projects or acts tending to lower the Order, or attack a brother's honor, shall, by the very deed, be brought before the Committee appointed in such cases and if found guilty, shall not only be expelled, but shall be made to suffer the full penalty of such act as is prescribed by the Secret Code. There can be no exceptions to these rules and laws, for to do so were to weaken the very foundation of Mystic and Oriental Masonry.

4.When the calamities of a brother call for our aid, we should not withdraw the hand that might sustain him from sinking but we must render him those services, which, not incumbering or injuring our families or fortunes, charity and religion may dictate for the saving of our fellow being, nor may we draw ^[181] the line too closely in our own favor. Mystic Masonry, if for anything, is to bind its members together in one bond which cannot be severed by any force whatever.

5.From this purpose, indolence dare not persuade the foot to halt or wrath turn our steps out of the way; but forgetting injuries and selfish feelings, and remembering that man was born for the aid of his generation and not for his own enjoyment only, but to do that which is good, we must be swift to have mercy, to save, to strengthen and execute benevolence.

6.As the good things of this life are partially dispensed, and some are opulent, while others are in distress, such principles also enjoin Mystic Masons, even if ever so poor, to testify their good will towards each other. Riches alone do not allow the means of doing good; virtue and benevolence are not confined to the walks of opulence; the rich man, from his many talents, is required to make extensive works under the principles of virtue, and yet poverty is no excuse for an omission of that exercise; for as the cry of innocence ascendeth up to heaven, as the voice of babes and sucklings reach the throne of God, and as the breathings of a contrite heart are heard in the regions of dominion, so a Mystic 's prayers, devoted to the welfare of his brother, are required of him.